Lady s hat



No. 624,22l. Patented May 2, I899. B. F. KOCH.

LADYS HAT.

(Application filed Oct. '7, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets8heet I.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTO R N EY No. 624,221. Patented May 2, I899. B. F. KOCH.

LADYS HAT.

(Application filed Oct. 7, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Q llnll WITNESSES:

INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- BENJAMIN F. KOCH, oFnEw YORK, N. Y.

LADYS HAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,221, dated May 2, 1899 Application filed October 7, 1898. Serial No; 692,939. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. KOCH, a

citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city and State of New York, have inventedacertain new and nsefulImprovement in Ladies Hats, of which the following is a specification.

I have devised a construction by which th hat may be made either high or low, as circumstances-the use of the hat in the street or park on the one hand or in the opera or church on the other-may determine. I attain this by providing a detachable portion which when disconnected from the hat is adapted to be held in the hand as abouquet or fan, the support for the detachable part being itself made ornamental, so that the hat is tasty in either condition. When the detachable portion is removed, the support is presented to the eye and is itself ornamental. hen the detachable portion is applied in place 011 the hat, the support is no longer visible and now cannot perform the function of ornament, but performs the new and entirely different function of supporting the removable part.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of the hat in the high condition. Fig. 2isacorresponding view with the top ornament removed. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the disconnected top ornament. Fig. 4 is a corresponding view showing the stem extended to adapt the high ornament for holding in the hand. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section corresponding to Fig. 1, but taken in a planeat right angles thereto. Figs. 6 and 7 are a perspective View and a horizontal section, respectively, of the high-ornament stem. Fig. Sis a view of the tubular post ready for attachment to the body of the hat.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they appear. 1

A is the ordinary foundation, and B the extend upward to but a moderate height above the head of the wearer.

The foundation Ais reinforced, as usual, at

the point where one of the permanent ornamentsthat which supports the removable ornament-is attached. There may be any number of low ornaments attached to the permanent portion now described. One of these is specially important. A tubular post A, of buckram, covered with velvet, with a branched base A is firmly attached to the foundation A by stitching or otherwise, the tubular part extending rigidly upward. D is a smooth ornament firmly fixed above this tube A. I have in my experiments used an artificial pearl of an approved pear shape. It is only important that it be adapted to serve the double function of a decoration of itself when exposed to View by the removal of the top ornament, to be presently described, and of contributing to make a firm support for the top ornament when the latter is properly planted thereon and thrust down upon the tube A upon which it is set. To this low permanent ornament D is rigidly attached a long pin D, which in the construction of the hat is thrust down through the interior of the tube A and sharply bent at right angles at the base of that tube. This pin extends from the angle rearward and a little out through the rear of the supporting-frame.

It remains to describe the removable ornament. E is a hollow stem or tube which sup ports the removable ornament, is applied and removed with it, and forms a firm connection between it and the hat and also serves as a handle when this ornament is removed from the hat and held in the hand. This tube E is formed of a strong and rich material, as mottled celluloid, and the rear face, which is liable 'to be conspicuous, carries a decorative metal strip E, imitating beads. The lower end or foot of such strip is bent rearward and adapted to serve the double function of contributing to the stiffness of the support whengitudinally thereon. Ostrich-phi mes or other rich and tall decorative device or devices H and yet allow the tube E to slide up and down thereon when sufficient force is applied. I further insure a yielding condition of the parts by making the tube E of strong and slightly-elastic material, with an open joint up and down the back. This joint is covered and concealed by steel beaded metal E and is capable of opening and closing to acment D.

of flowers, it will serve as a bouquet.

For ordinary use of the hat the short tube G, carrying the plumes or analogous decorative devices H, is slid down upon the tube E. The latter is applied on the ornament D and thrust gently but firmly down, sliding first over the low ornament D and then down over the velvet-covered tube A, and finally rests firmly with its rearward arm E pressing upon the base or foundation A through the fabric B of the hat. It constitutes a high ornament which may have all the characteristics of the ordinary plumes and like the other decorations may vary in richnessaccording to the taste and means of the wearer.

On entering a theater, opera, or other place where it is customary to wear hats, but where the retention of a tall ornament may be a discourtesy or inconvenience to the parties in the rear, the lady or her companion reaches up and applying both hands, one to hold down the body of the hat and the other to 'lift on the removable parts, simply slides the latter upward and removes them. This leaves the hat with only the decoration of the body and the low ornaments D &c. Now the removed parts, being held in the hand, are extended by moving the short tube G to the extreme upper end of the tube E. These parts should be so proportioned that this movement will. provide a convenient handle by which the ostrich-plumes or analogous parts H mayserve as a fan, or, if the part is mainly The reverse of these movements restores the hat again to its condition for street wear when the entertainment or church service or the like is over.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. All the parts may vary in material, thickness, and length. In-

stead of 'buckram various other materials having the proper stifiness and durability may serve for the base of the post A. There and its attached plumes in all emergencies, and yet yields sufficient-ly to allow the tube and its attachments to be applied and withdrawn under a moderate force.

The invention allows the employment of artistic skill in the preparation of the body of the hat and of the low ornaments D &c., to serve well alone, while harmonizing also with the top ornament when the latter is in place. Only moderate mechanical skill is re quired to make the post A and the low ornament D also serve as a firm support for the taller removable ornament. The adaptation of the removable portion to serve in the hand avoids the difficulty which might otherwise be met in properly storing it during the entertainment and also in carrying it in a trunk or box when traveling.

I claim as my invention-.

1. In a hat having a foundation A and a surface finish B, a smooth low part D firmly supported on the foundation and projecting above the surface, in combination with a removable ornament II having asocketE adapted to match snugly over such low part, the latter being thus adapted to serve the double function of a tenon to receive and support such removable high ornament when required and of an ornament itself when-the larger ornament is removed, all substantially as herein specified.

2. In a hat having a foundation A and a surface finish B, an upright tubular post A havinga branched base A attached to the foundation, an ornament D set thereon and a pin D extending through such post and also laterally below to form a rigid support for thepost and ornament and for any further ornament, substantially as herein specified.

3. In a hat having a foundation A and a surface finish B, a low smooth part D firmly supported on the foundation, in combination of the shorter tube G having a sufficiently larger diameter to slide on the tube E so that the parts may in their shortened condition perform the duty of an ornament on the hatbody A, B, and may when detached and extended, serve as a convenient fan or bouquet, all substantially asherein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. KOCH.

Vitnesses: J. B. OLAUTIoE, M. F. BoYLE. 

